B-doped graphene quantum dots array as fluorescent sensor platforms for plasticizers detection

Human health and environmental safety are imperceptibly disturbed by illegally used plasticizers. A fluorescence sensor array based on B-doped graphene quantum dots was designed to detect six plasticizers. Specifically, the dexterous design is the first to disperse B-doped graphene quantum dots in two solvents of different polarities (N,N-Dimethylformamide and Cyclohexane), select three characteristic fluorescence peaks of B-doped graphene quantum dots in the above two solvents, and construct a 3 × 2 array, with a total of 6 array points. The basis of the detection is that the plasticizers affect the dispersion of B-doped graphene quantum dots in different solutions, which are accompanied by the change of its fluorescence signals. Or the plasticizers affect the electron transfer process of B-doped graphene quantum dots in different solvents, resulting in fluorescence quenching. Fluorescence information output by the sensor array showed a good linear relationship with the concentrations of the six plasticizers. The quantitative detection capability can be specified as: the detection range is 100 ng/mL-195 mg/mL, and the detection limit is 1.05–11.58 ng/mL. The fluorescence sensor array also showed good analytical performance in real samples, with recoveries ranging from 95% to 106%. This method has satisfactory specificity, reproducibility, stability and practicality, making it potential for application. •B-GQDs fluorescence sensor array for detecting plasticizers.•B-GQDs have diverse fluorescence properties in different polar solvents.•The plasticizer affects the polarity of the solvent as the detection principle.•The highly sensitive and ultra-rapid detection of six plasticizers was completed.